Petra, Jordan

Due to quite a few large, box office films this incredible architectural and archeological site is already known by many. Seeing the Treasury at Petra is one thing in the movies but it is another thing entirely to see it in person.

Before you enter the country you have the opportunity online to buy the Jordan Pass online and as part of that you choose how many days you would like to have access to Petra and also whether or not you want to be able to visit it at night. The Pass is cheaper in the long run, as opposed to purchasing tickets on the spot, so we highly recommend it. When we traveled through Jordan some form of the Pass was actually required to enter the country. Things like this change over time so be sure to check on it while planning your trip. Regardless of whether or not you are required to purchase it, it will save you money so we recommend it either way.

Nestled deep into the rock walls in low lands just beneath the city of Petra, this location is one of the most impressive and unique tours that we have ever been on. The arrival to Petra is the first part of the journey, which luckily takes little effort aside from some time on the road. We landed in Amman when we first arrived in Jordan and made our way south in a rental car, hitting quite a few other destinations along the way: the Dead Sea, Wadi Rum, etc. If you have some time to explore we would recommend doing the same as well. Two weeks in Jordan is enough time to see just about everything of interest.

Once you have arrived in the city of Petra you will be able to find lodging in one of the many tea houses built into the steep mountain sides that surround the site. We recommend trying to stay close to the restaurants so that you don’t have the issue of finding parking every time you want to get something to eat. The streets here are always busy and they are also quite steep so giving yourself the ability to walk instead of drive is definitely a good idea. The food in Petra is amazing as well. There are tons of local restaurants where you can find small, Jordanian dishes like hummus and falafel and then there are also some more western style food options alongside other international cuisines like Indian and Thai.

You will want to stay in Petra for a few days because the site is quite large and there will be a lot of people there as it is quite popular with tourists from all over the world. Jordan is really quite affordable, even from a backpacking standard, so if this is a place that you are very excited about seeing… you should take your time. Exploring the site for a few days won’t break your bank in any way. That all being said, mornings are the best time to enter. It will be worth the early wake up when you find yourself as one of the first people standing in front of the Treasury in the morning light.

From the gate it takes between 30-45 minutes, depending on your pace, to reach the Treasury itself. It is a beautiful walk but also very hot, so be sure to pack a good amount of water for the walk. There are a lot of local guys around the entrance that offer tours, horseback and carriage rides to make the walk easier and shorter. Just like the stores before the entrance, these horseback rides are not cheap at all. The ticket you receive for your entrance says that the horseback ride is free… but it isn’t. The local guys will demand money from you when the ride is over, even though they acknowledge the free ride quoted on the ticket. We didn’t personally do this, but we witnessed this happening with others.

When you reach the Treasury you will see some small tea shops to your left and the pathway that carries on through the sight to your right. To your right there is also a small area where you can climb up to get a higher vantage point of the Treasury. There is a man up there selling tea and coffee and the price of entrance to his lookout is the purchase of one of the hot beverages - it is totally worth it for the view. After you have enjoyed the view you can climb down and enjoy the other unique sites along the pathway through the valley. We recommend spending the first morning in Petra like this, taking full advantage of the Treasury.

The second morning on site you should still get there right at opening but head directly to The Cathedral, another beautifully carved structure at the far end of the site. It takes about an hour and a half at a good pace to get to The Cathedral from the Treasury, meaning at least a two hour walk from the gate. Pack some water and some snacks for this and take your time. When you first get to The Cathedral, if you go in the early morning, the sun won’t quite be on it yet but there is a small café directly across from it where you can rest and have a drink. If you are facing the café, look up to the right of it and you will notice a very small cave formation. This is a very popular spot to take photos but in the morning you are likely to have it to yourself.

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